Corus has restructured its original content leadership team, with Mellany Welsh (pictured) moving up into a new position as VP and head of Nelvana, and Rachel Nelson taking on a VP of original programming and head of Corus Studios role. 

As part of the restructure, Pam Westman is retiring as president of Nelvana on January 31 after heading up the business for five years. 

Jeff Norton is also departing as head of Corus’s year-old Waterside Studios live-action prodco on February 29. 

Both Westman and Norton will serve as consultants for several months in order to ensure a smooth leadership change. 

Lastly, Lisa Godfrey is stepping down on January 31, and her SVP of original programming and Corus Studios position will be eliminated.  

“Amid ongoing changes in the competitive landscape for Canadian programming, and building upon many successful years of growing our slate of Corus Original content, the changes announced today support our focus on prioritizing the highest return on investment for our own networks as well as international sales,” said EVP of networks and content Troy Reeb in a release.

Moving forward, Welsh will oversee all aspects of Corus’s animation and live-action content business for children, including book publisher Kids Can Press. She initially worked as part of the company’s licensing and sales teams from 2011 to 2015, and then rejoined in 2018 as VP of global consumer products and international distribution. 

Nelson previously headed up the content teams for flagship channels such as Global, W, History and Adult Swim. She will now lead all commissions for original drama, lifestyle, factual and reality programming.